Hinge for a foldable-type mobile device

ABSTRACT

A hinge module including a first body; a second body arranged with respect to the first body; a hinge configured to hinge in response to an angle variation between the first body and the second body; and a display disposed on the first body and the second body. Further, the hinge includes a first hinge housing including an accommodating portion; a second hinge housing having a first end inserted in the accommodating portion; an arc-shaped hinge hole in the second hinge housing; a hinge pin projecting from an inner surface of the accommodating portion of the first hinge housing and penetrating the arc-shaped hinge hole in the second hinge housing; a guide pin coupled to the first hinge housing and inserted into a second end of the second hinge housing; and an elastic member provided in the second end of the second hinge housing and including a curved surface contacting the guide pin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Phase of PCT International ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2015/012327, filed on Nov. 17, 2015, which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2015-0124765,filed in Republic of Korea on Sep. 3, 2015, all of which are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mobile terminal whichis bendable.

Discussion of the Background

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals orstationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals mayalso be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminalsaccording to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.

Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples ofsuch functions include data and voice communications, capturing imagesand video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via aspeaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Somemobile terminals include additional functionality which supports gameplaying, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players.More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receivebroadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such asvideos and television programs.

As such functions become more diversified, the mobile terminal cansupport more complicated functions such as capturing images or video,reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcastsignals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementingsuch functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of amultimedia player or device.

A display is formed in a rectangular shape having one long side. Whenplaying a movie or game, a user arranges the display longitudinally in ahorizontal direction to use. In case of viewing the image on the entirearea of the display as one screen, a curved display is effective for asense of immersion.

In this instance, the mobile terminal having such a curved display hasto be formed in a curved shape and it is disadvantageously inconvenientof a user to use the mobile terminal having the curved shape.

SUMMARY

To overcome the disadvantages, an object of the present invention is toaddress the above-noted and other problems and to provide a bendablemobile terminal and a control method thereof.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the embodiments, as embodied and broadly described herein, amobile terminal comprises a first hinge housing comprising anaccommodating portion provided therein, the accommodating portion havingone x-axis direction side which is blocked and the other side which isopen; a second hinge housing having one x-axis direction side which isinserted in the accommodating portion; an arc-shaped hinge hole formedin the second hinge housing and open in a y-axis direction; a hinge pinprojected from an inner surface of the accommodating portion of thesecond hinge housing and penetrating the hinge hole; a guide pin coupledto the other x-axis direction side of the first hinge housing in they-axis direction; and an elastic member provided in the other x-axisdirection side of the second hinge housing and comprising a curvedsurface which contacts with the guide pin.

One x-axis direction end of the second housing may contact with one endof an inner surface of the accommodating portion.

The end of the inner surface of the accommodating portion may have aninclined surface which is oblique in a z-axis direction.

The mobile terminal may further comprise a plate spring provided in aninner cross section of the accommodating portion and having unevenness.

The inner cross section of the accommodating portion may comprise POM(Poly Oxy Methylene).

The arc-shape of the hinge hole may have a center point which is locatedin an outside with respect to the z-axis direction of the hinge module.

The hinge hole may comprise two hinge holes which are spaced apart inthe z-axis direction.

The hinge hole may have an arc shape with the same center point of thetwo hinge holes.

The elastic member may comprise a plate spring which is coupled to thesecond housing and has unevenness.

The elastic member may comprise a cam block having a 3-shaped end whichcontacts with the guide pin; and a spring which applies a force forpulling the cam block toward the other x-axis direction side.

The first hinge housing may comprise a pair of cases which are coupledfrom both sides in a y-axis direction of the second hinge housing.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also provide a mobile terminalcomprising a first body; a second body arranged in an x-axis directionwith respect to the first body; a hinge module configured to facilitatethe angle variation between the first body and the second body; and adisplay unit disposed in a direction where the angle between the firstbody and the second body becomes smaller, wherein the hinge modulecomprises a first hinge housing coupled to the first body and comprisingan accommodating portion provided therein, the accommodating portionhaving one x-axis direction side which is blocked and the other sidewhich is open; a second hinge housing coupled to the second body andhaving one x-axis direction side which is inserted in the accommodatingportion; an arc-shaped hinge hole formed in the second hinge housing andopen in a y-axis direction; a hinge pin projected from an inner surfaceof the accommodating portion of the second hinge housing and penetratingthe hinge hole; a guide pin coupled to the other x-axis direction sideof the first hinge housing in the y-axis direction; and an elasticmember provided in the other x-axis direction side of the second hingehousing and comprising a curved surface which contacts with the guidepin.

A pair of hinge modules may be provided in right and left sides of thefirst and second bodies in the y-axis direction.

The pair of the second bodies may be provided and coupled to both sidesof the first body in the x-axis direction, respectively, and the hingemodule is arranged in symmetry with respect to the first body.

The mobile terminal may further comprise a rear case coupled in adirection where the angle between the first body and the second bodybecomes larger, wherein the rear case comprises a first cover coupled tothe first body and comprising an overlapped portion extended toward thesecond body; a second cover coupled to the second body and having a thinarea where the overlapped portion is located; and an elastic coverconfigured to cover lateral surfaces between the first body and thesecond body from the both y-axis sides of the first and second covers.

The display unit may be coupled to the first body and the second body byusing a boss provided in a rear surface of the display unit, and theboss may be arranged in an area which is spaced apart from a connectionarea between the first body and the second body.

One end of an inner surface of the accommodating portion may have aninclined surface which is oblique in a z-axis direction, and the x-axisdirection end of the second housing may contact with the end of theinner surface of the accommodating portion.

The end of the inner surface of the accommodating portion may have aninclined surface which is oblique in the z-axis direction, and a platespring in which unevenness is formed may be further provided in an innercross section of the accommodating portion.

The hinge hole may have two hinge holes which are spaced apart in thez-axis direction.

The hinge hole may comprise two hinge holes which are spaced apart inthe z-axis direction.

The hinge hole has an arc shape with the same center point of the twohinge holes.

The elastic member may comprise a plate spring which is coupled to thesecond housing and has unevenness.

The elastic member may comprise a cam block having a 3-shaped end whichcontacts with the guide pin; and a spring which applies a force forpulling the cam block toward the other x-axis direction side.

Accordingly, the embodiments have following advantageous effects.According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, themobile terminal is capable of adjusting the bending degree of the mobileterminal. Accordingly, the sense of immersion into the screen may beenhanced by adjusting the curvature of the mobile terminal and it may beconvenient of the user to rest the mobile terminal easily.

Furthermore, when the mobile terminal is bendably deformed, the surfaceof the terminal body, on which the display unit is disposed, may have nolength variation. Accordingly, the sliding member of the display unitmay be omitted and the structure may become simple. Also, thedeterioration of the durability caused by the sliding structure may beimproved.

Still further, the mobile terminal may provide the tactile sense forsensing the presence of each deformation stages when the bodies aredeformed into the bending state or the flat state. Accordingly, thesevere deformation of the shape may be prevented and the durability maybe improved.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 1b and 1c are conceptual views of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different directions;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a lateral surface of the mobileterminal;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagram of the mobile terminal;

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a state where a rear case isdecoupled from the mobile terminal;

FIG. 5 is a diagram to describe problems of a conventional mobileterminal;

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating a first embodiment of ahinge module provided in the mobile terminal;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the hinge moduleof FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the hinge module of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram to describe an operational principle ofthe hinge module;

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a second embodiment of thehinge module provided in the mobile terminal;

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the hinge module of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram illustrating a third embodiment of thehinge module;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the hinge moduleof FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the hinge module of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a terminal bodyand a rear case which are provided in the mobile terminal; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional diagram illustrating a connection unit betweenthe terminal body and the rear case of the mobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with thesame reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. Ingeneral, a suffix such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer toelements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intendedto facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself isnot intended to give any special meaning or function. In the presentdisclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. Theaccompanying drawings are used to help easily understand varioustechnical features and it should be understood that the embodimentspresented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such,the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations,equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularlyset out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are generally only used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected with” another element, the element can be directly connectedwith the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connectedwith” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless itrepresents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Terms such as “include” or “has” are used herein and should beunderstood that they are intended to indicate an existence of severalcomponents, functions or steps, disclosed in the specification, and itis also understood that greater or fewer components, functions, or stepsmay likewise be utilized.

Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a variety ofdifferent types of terminals. Examples of such terminals includecellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop computers, digitalbroadcast terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable computers (PCs), slatePCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (for example, smartwatches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

By way of non-limiting example only, further description will be madewith reference to particular types of mobile terminals. However, suchteachings apply equally to other types of terminals, such as those typesnoted above. In addition, these teachings may also be applied tostationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers, and thelike.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1a-1c , where FIG. 1a is a block diagramof a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure, andFIGS. 1b and 1c are conceptual views of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 is shown having components such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an outputunit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a controller 180, and apower supply unit 190. It is understood that implementing all of theillustrated components in The FIG. 1A is not a requirement, and thatgreater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

More specifically, the wireless communication unit 110 typicallyincludes one or more modules which permit communications such aswireless communications between the mobile terminal 100 and a wirelesscommunication system, communications between the mobile terminal 100 andanother mobile terminal, communications between the mobile terminal 100and an external server. Further, the wireless communication unit 110typically includes one or more modules which connect the mobile terminal100 to one or more networks.

To facilitate such communications, the wireless communication unit 110includes one or more of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-rangecommunication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 for obtaining images or video,a microphone 122, which is one type of audio input device for inputtingan audio signal, and a user input unit 123 (for example, a touch key, apush key, a mechanical key, a soft key, and the like) for allowing auser to input information. Data (for example, audio, video, image, andthe like) is obtained by the input unit 120 and may be analyzed andprocessed by controller 180 according to device parameters, usercommands, and combinations thereof.

The sensing unit 140 is typically implemented using one or more sensorsconfigured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, thesurrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, andthe like. For example, the sensing unit 140 may alternatively oradditionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as aproximity sensor 141 and an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, anacceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor,a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scansensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera121), a microphone 122, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (forexample, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detectionsensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and achemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor,a biometric sensor, and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal100 may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit140, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors ofthe sensing unit 140, and combinations thereof.

The output unit 150 is typically configured to output various types ofinformation, such as audio, video, tactile output, and the like. Theoutput unit 150 is shown having a display unit 151, an audio outputmodule 152, a haptic module 153, and an optical output module 154. Thedisplay unit 151 may have an inter-layered structure or an integratedstructure with a touch sensor in order to facilitate a touch screen. Thetouch screen may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal100 and a user, as well as function as the user input unit 123 whichprovides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and theuser.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various types ofexternal devices that can be coupled to the mobile terminal 100. Theinterface unit 160, for example, may include any of wired or wirelessports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,and the like. In some cases, the mobile terminal 100 may performassorted control functions associated with a connected external device,in response to the external device being connected to the interface unit160.

The memory 170 is typically implemented to store data to support variousfunctions or features of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, thememory 170 may be configured to store application programs executed inthe mobile terminal 100, data or instructions for operations of themobile terminal 100, and the like. Some of these application programsmay be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.Other application programs may be installed within the mobile terminal100 at time of manufacturing or shipping, which is typically the casefor basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (for example, receiving acall, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, and thelike). It is common for application programs to be stored in the memory170, installed in the mobile terminal 100, and executed by thecontroller 180 to perform an operation (or function) for the mobileterminal 100.

The controller 180 typically functions to control overall operation ofthe mobile terminal 100, in addition to the operations associated withthe application programs. The controller 180 may provide or processinformation or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals,data, information and the like, which are input or output, or activatingapplication programs stored in the memory 170.

To drive the application programs stored in the memory 170, thecontroller 180 may be implemented to control a predetermined number ofthe components mentioned above in reference with FIG. 1A. Moreover, thecontroller 180 may be implemented to combinedly operate two or more ofthe components provided in the mobile terminal 100 to drive theapplication programs.

The power supply unit 190 can be configured to receive external power orprovide internal power in order to supply appropriate power required foroperating elements and components included in the mobile terminal 100.The power supply unit 190 may include a battery, and the battery may beconfigured to be embedded in the terminal body, or configured to bedetachable from the terminal body.

Some or more of the components may be operated cooperatively to embodyan operation, control or a control method of the mobile terminal inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, theoperation, control or control method of the mobile terminal may berealized on the mobile terminal by driving of one or more applicationproblems stored in the memory 170.

Referring now to FIGS. 1b and 1c , the mobile terminal 100 is describedwith reference to a bar-type terminal body. However, the mobile terminal100 may alternatively be implemented in any of a variety of differentconfigurations. Examples of such configurations include watch-type,clip-type, glasses-type, or as a folder-type, flip-type, slide-type,swing-type, and swivel-type in which two and more bodies are combinedwith each other in a relatively movable manner, and combinationsthereof. Discussion herein will often relate to a particular type ofmobile terminal (for example, bar-type, watch-type, glasses-type, andthe like). However, such teachings with regard to a particular type ofmobile terminal will generally apply to other types of mobile terminalsas well.

Here, the terminal body may be understood to refer to the concept ofthis bore a mobile terminal (100) to at least one of the aggregate.

The mobile terminal 100 will generally include a case (for example,frame, housing, cover, and the like) forming the appearance of theterminal. In this embodiment, the case is formed using a front case 101and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are incorporated intoa space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. Atleast one middle case may be additionally positioned between the frontcase 101 and the rear case 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, a front surface of the front case iscovered with the display and the window and rear and lateral surfacesare covered with the rear case 230, so that the front case may not beexposed outside.

The display unit 151 is shown located on the front side of the terminalbody to output information. As illustrated, a window 151 a of thedisplay unit 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 to form the frontsurface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some embodiments, electronic components may also be mounted to therear case 102. Examples of such electronic components include adetachable battery 191, an identification module, a memory card, and thelike. Rear cover 103 is shown covering the electronic components, andthis cover may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore,when the rear cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, theelectronic components mounted to the rear case 102 are externallyexposed.

As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102,a side surface of the rear case 102 is partially exposed. In some cases,upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may also be completely shielded bythe rear cover 103. In some embodiments, the rear cover 103 may includean opening for externally exposing a camera 121 b or an audio outputmodule 152 b.

The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-molding syntheticresin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainless steel (STS),aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

As an alternative to the example in which the plurality of cases form aninner space for accommodating components, the mobile terminal 100 may beconfigured such that one case forms the inner space. In this example, amobile terminal 100 having a uni-body is formed in such a manner thatsynthetic resin or metal extends from a side surface to a rear surface.

If desired, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproofing unit(not shown) for preventing introduction of water into the terminal body.For example, the waterproofing unit may include a waterproofing memberwhich is located between the window 151 a and the front case 101,between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rearcase 102 and the rear cover 103, to hermetically seal an inner spacewhen those cases are coupled.

The mobile terminal 100 may include the display unit 151, the audiooutput module, the proximity sensor 141, the illuminance sensor 142, theoptical output module 154, the camera 121, the user input unit 123, themicrophone 122 and the interface unit 160.

It will be described for the mobile terminal as shown in FIGS. 1b and 1c. The display unit 151, the first audio output module 151 a, theproximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, the optical outputmodule 154, the first camera 121 a and the first manipulation unit 123 aare arranged in front surface of the terminal body, the secondmanipulation unit 123 b, the microphone 122 and interface unit 160 arearranged in side surface of the terminal body, and the second audiooutput modules 151 b and the second camera 121 b are arranged in rearsurface of the terminal body. An audio port 153 is also shown in FIGS.1b , 3 and 4.

It is to be understood that alternative arrangements are possible andwithin the teachings of the instant disclosure. Some components may beomitted or rearranged. For example, the first manipulation unit 123 amay be located on another surface of the terminal body, and the secondaudio output module 152 b may be located on the side surface of theterminal body.

The display unit 151 is generally configured to output informationprocessed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151may display execution screen information of an application programexecuting at the mobile terminal 100 or user interface (UI) and graphicuser interface (GUI) information in response to the execution screeninformation.

The display unit 151 outputs information processed in the mobileterminal 100. The display unit 151 may be implemented using one or moresuitable display devices. Examples of such suitable display devicesinclude a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquidcrystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), aflexible display, a 3-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display, andcombinations thereof.

The display unit 151 may be implemented using two display devices, whichcan implement the same or different display technology. For instance, aplurality of the display units 151 may be arranged on one side, eitherspaced apart from each other, or these devices may be integrated, orthese devices may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may also include a touch sensor which senses atouch input received at the display unit. When a touch is input to thedisplay unit 151, the touch sensor may be configured to sense this touchand the controller 180, for example, may generate a control command orother signal corresponding to the touch. The content which is input inthe touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or a menu itemwhich can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensor may be configured in a form of a film having a touchpattern, disposed between the window 151 a and a display on a rearsurface of the window 151 a, or a metal wire which is patterned directlyon the rear surface of the window 151 a. Alternatively, the touch sensormay be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensormay be disposed on a substrate of the display or within the display.

The display unit 151 may also form a touch screen together with thetouch sensor. Here, the touch screen may serve as the user input unit123 (see FIG. 1a ). Therefore, the touch screen may replace at leastsome of the functions of the first manipulation unit 123 a.

The first audio output module 152 a may be implemented in the form of aspeaker to output voice audio, alarm sounds, multimedia audioreproduction, and the like.

The window 151 a of the display unit 151 will typically include anaperture to permit audio generated by the first audio output module 152a to pass. One alternative is to allow audio to be released along anassembly gap between the structural bodies (for example, a gap betweenthe window 151 a and the front case 101). In this case, a holeindependently formed to output audio sounds may not be seen or isotherwise hidden in terms of appearance, thereby further simplifying theappearance and manufacturing of the mobile terminal 100.

The optical output module 154 can be configured to output light forindicating an event generation. Examples of such events include amessage reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, aschedule notice, an email reception, information reception through anapplication, and the like. When a user has checked a generated event,the controller can control the optical output unit 154 to stop the lightoutput.

The first camera 121 a can process image frames such as still or movingimages obtained by the image sensor in a capture mode or a video callmode. The processed image frames can then be displayed on the displayunit 151 or stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b are examples ofthe user input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to provideinput to the mobile terminal 100. The first and second manipulationunits 123 a and 123 b may also be commonly referred to as a manipulatingportion, and may employ any tactile method that allows the user toperform manipulation such as touch, push, scroll, or the like. The firstand second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b may also employ anynon-tactile method that allows the user to perform manipulation such asproximity touch, hovering, or the like.

FIG. 1b illustrates the first manipulation unit 123 a as a touch key,but possible alternatives include a mechanical key, a push key, a touchkey, and combinations thereof.

Input received at the first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123b may be used in various ways. For example, the first manipulation unit123 a may be used by the user to provide an input to a menu, home key,cancel, search, or the like, and the second manipulation unit 123 b maybe used by the user to provide an input to control a volume level beingoutput from the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, toswitch to a touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, or the like.

As another example of the user input unit 123, a rear input unit (notshown) may be located on the rear surface of the terminal body. The rearinput unit can be manipulated by a user to provide input to the mobileterminal 100. The input may be used in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the rear input unit may be used by the user to provide an inputfor power on/off, start, end, scroll, control volume level being outputfrom the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, switch toa touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, and the like. The rearinput unit may be configured to permit touch input, a push input, orcombinations thereof.

The rear input unit may be located to overlap the display unit 151 ofthe front side in a thickness direction of the terminal body. As oneexample, the rear input unit may be located on an upper end portion ofthe rear side of the terminal body such that a user can easilymanipulate it using a forefinger when the user grabs the terminal bodywith one hand. Alternatively, the rear input unit can be positioned atmost any location of the rear side of the terminal body.

Embodiments that include the rear input unit may implement some or allof the functionality of the first manipulation unit 123 a in the rearinput unit. As such, in situations where the first manipulation unit 123a is omitted from the front side, the display unit 151 can have a largerscreen.

As a further alternative, the mobile terminal 100 may include a fingerscan sensor which scans a user's fingerprint. The controller 180 canthen use fingerprint information sensed by the finger scan sensor aspart of an authentication procedure. The finger scan sensor may also beinstalled in the display unit 151 or implemented in the user input unit123.

The microphone 122 is shown located at an end of the mobile terminal100, but other locations are possible. If desired, multiple microphonesmay be implemented, with such an arrangement permitting the receiving ofstereo sounds.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the mobile terminal100 to interface with external devices. For example, the interface unit160 may include one or more of a connection terminal for connecting toanother device (for example, an earphone, an external speaker, or thelike), a port for near field communication (for example, an InfraredData Association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, andthe like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobileterminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of asocket for accommodating an external card, such as SubscriberIdentification Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or a memorycard for information storage.

The second camera 121 b is shown located at the rear side of theterminal body and includes an image capturing direction that issubstantially opposite to the image capturing direction of the firstcamera unit 121 a. If desired, second camera 121 a may alternatively belocated at other locations, or made to be moveable, in order to have adifferent image capturing direction from that which is shown.

The second camera 121 b can include a plurality of lenses arranged alongat least one line. The plurality of lenses may also be arranged in amatrix configuration. The cameras may be referred to as an “arraycamera.” When the second camera 121 b is implemented as an array camera,images may be captured in various manners using the plurality of lensesand images with better qualities.

A flash 124 is shown located adjacent to the second camera 121 b. Whenan image of a subject is captured with the camera 121 b, the flash 124may illuminate the subject.

The second audio output module 152 b can be located on the terminalbody. The second audio output module 152 b may implement stereophonicsound functions in conjunction with the first audio output module 152 a,and may be also used for implementing a speaker phone mode for callcommunication.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be located on theterminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body orformed by the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part ofthe broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1A) may be retractable intothe terminal body. Alternatively, an antenna may be formed using a filmattached to an inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case thatincludes a conductive material.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100may include a battery 191, which is mounted in the terminal body ordetachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may receive power via a power source cable connected tothe interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 can be recharged in awireless manner using a wireless charger. Wireless charging may beimplemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

The rear cover 103 is shown coupled to the rear case 102 for shieldingthe battery 191, to prevent separation of the battery 191, and toprotect the battery 191 from an external impact or from foreignmaterial. When the battery 191 is detachable from the terminal body, therear case 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or extending thefunctions of the mobile terminal 100 can be also provided on the mobileterminal 100. As one example of an accessory, a cover or pouch forcovering or accommodating at least one surface of the mobile terminal100 may be provided. The cover or pouch may cooperate with the displayunit 151 to extend the function of the mobile terminal 100. Anotherexample of the accessory is a touch pen for assisting or extending atouch input to a touch screen

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a lateral surface of the mobileterminal and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagram of the mobileterminal. The mobile terminal is divided into the plurality of thebodies 210 and 220 so that each of the bodies 210 and 220 may be curved.The bodies 210 and 220 may be connected via a hinge module 300 and anangle between the bodies 210 and 220 is variable to form a curvedsurface as shown in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, the embodiment of the mobile terminal configured of threebodies 210 and 220 will be described and the embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited thereto. Two or more bodies 210 and 220 arecoupled to form one mobile terminal. One body located in a middle areaof the mobile terminal is defined as ‘the first body 210’ and the othertwo bodies located in upper and lower areas with respect to the firstbody 210 are defined as ‘the second body’.

In a rear surface of the bodies 210 and 220 may be loaded a printedcircuit board 185, a camera 121 a and 121 b, an audio output unit 152 aand 152 b, a battery 191 and the like. The rear case 230 may cover therear surface. The display unit 151 and the window are disposed on afront surface of the bodies 210 and 220. The window is disposed by usinga transparent adhesive material such as OCA. A boss 1515 is formed inthe rear surface of the display unit 151 and a screw (1516, see FIG. 4)penetrates the bodies 210 and 220 to be fastened to the boss 1515 so asto couple the display unit 151 and the bodies 210 and 220 to each other.

The mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure iscurvedly bendable as shown in FIG. 2 (b) so that the display unit 151disposed in the connection area between the bodies 210 and 220 may bespaced apart enough to form a gentle curve. The coupling area betweenthe display unit 151 and the bodies 210 and 220 is distant from theconnection area of the bodies 210 and 220. As shown in FIG. 3, thebosses 1515 may be arranged only in upper, lower and middle areas of therear surface, not the connection area between the first body 210 and thesecond bodies 220.

The rear case 230 which covers the diverse electronic components loadedin the rear surface of the bodies 210 and 220 may include an elasticmaterial to be bendable according to the angle variation of the bodies210 and 220 or have a segment structure like the structure of the bodies210 and 220.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a state where a rear case isdecoupled from the mobile terminal. When one hinge module 300 forconnecting the first body 210 and the second bodies with each other isprovided, there might be de distortion. Accordingly, two hinges may bearranged in right and left areas between the bodies 210 and 220. Thepair of the second bodies 220 may be coupled to the top and the bottomof the first body 210 and the hinge modules 300 may be arranged insymmetry with respect to the first body 210. While, the curved surfacemay become different according to the direction of the hinge module, itis preferred that the hinge modules may be symmetrically arranged withrespect to the first body 210 to load the electronic components.

FIG. 5 is a diagram to describe problems of a conventional mobileterminal. The hinge structure shown in FIG. 5 is configured of the firstbody 210 and the second bodies 220 which are arranged side by side in anx-axis, and a hinge shaft 30 penetrating the bodies. (a) and (b) showthat a neutral plane is located in a center area in a direction alongthe thickness of the first and second bodies 210 and 220 (a z-axisdirection). (c) and (d) show that a neutral plane is located in anoutside in a direction along the thickness of the first and secondbodies 210 and 220 (a z-axis direction).

The structure shown in (a) and (b) is the most conventional hingestructure. In the structure, ends of the two bodies 210 and 220 locatedon the same plane are overlapped and the hinge shaft 30 penetrates theoverlapped ends. Even when the angle between the two bodies 210 and 220is varied, the x-axis direction length of the neutral plane is notvaried and the neutral plane is corresponding to the location of thehinge shaft. When the angle between the two bodies 210 and 220 locatedon the same plane is changed, the length of the area in the x-axisdirection, where the angle becomes smaller with respect to the neutralplane, is reduced disadvantageously and the length of the area in thex-axis direction, where the angle becomes larger, is increaseddisadvantageously.

When the display unit 151 is arranged in a direction where the anglebecomes smaller, the length of the display unit 151 will not be changed.Accordingly, the display unit 151 has to be slidingly coupled to thebodies 210 and 220 disadvantageously. Such a sliding structure has adeteriorated durability, compared with the fixed structure.

To solve the disadvantages, the hinge may be structured to locate theneutral plane on the surface as shown in (c) and (d). When the neutralplane is located on the surface of the bodies 210 and 220 where thedisplay unit 151 is disposed, the length of the display unit 151 willnot be changed and such the sliding structure may be omitted.

In this instance, the structure configured of one hinge shaft isprojected toward the surface where the display unit 151 is disposed. Torealize such the structure, the hinge module 300 has to be arranged in aright-and-left direction of the display unit 151. If the right-and-leftbezel of the display unit 151 is increased for the hinge module 300, theoverall size of the mobile terminal has to become largerdisadvantageously and it is difficult to apply such the structure to themobile terminal.

To solve the disadvantages, the mobile terminal of the presentdisclosure provides the hinge module 300 which is located in the rearsurface of the display unit 151, while a neutral plane is located in thefront surface of the bodies 210 and 220. The hinge module 300 inaccordance with the present disclosure provided in the mobile terminalhaving the display unit 151 will be described, not limited thereto. Itmay be applicable to the other devices.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating a first embodiment of thehinge module 300 provided in the mobile terminal. FIG. 7 is an explodedperspective diagram illustrating the hinge module 300 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8is a side view illustrating the hinge module 300 of FIG. 5. Theembodiment of the hinge module 300 includes a first hinge housing 311having a hinge housing 311 a and a hinge plate 311 b; a second hingehousing 312; an accommodating portion 311′; a hinge hole 313; a hingepin 314; a guide pin 316; and an elastic member 318.

The first hinge housing 311 includes an accommodating portion 311coupled to the first body 210 and having one an x-axis direction sidewhich is blocked and the other x-axis direction side which is open. Thex-axis direction side means an area which is located in a left side ofthe drawing and the x-axis direction side means an area which is locatedin a right side of the drawing.

One side of the second hinge housing 312 is inserted in the first hingehousing 311. The area of the second hinge housing 312 which is insertedin the accommodating portion 311′ may be smaller than the accommodatingportion 311′, while getting thinner and thinner toward the end. One end312′ of the second hinge housing 312 inserted in the accommodatingportion 311′ may be arranged in contact with a plate spring 319 providedin one end of the accommodating portion 311′.

The plate spring 319 may be made of a plate spring formed in a 3-shapehaving a projected center. The uneven surface formed in the plate springmay bring an effect that the angle between the first hinge housing 311and the second housing 312 can be varied step by step, so that the usercan have a tactile feedback about completion of angle variation. The end312′ of the second hinge housing 312 is hooked to the unevenness of theelastic member so as to prevent the unintended variation of the anglebetween the first hinge housing 311 and the second hinge housing 312.

A hinge hole 313 penetrating in a y-axis direction may be provided inthe second hinge housing 312. A hinge pin 314 is inserted in the hingehole 313 and the hinge hole 313 is formed longer than the hinge pin 314,having an arch shape. The arc means a partial area of a circumference,in other words, a curve located at an equal distance from a virtualreference point.

The hinge pin is fixed to the first hinge housing 311, while penetratingthe hinge hole 313 and the location of the hinge pin is variable withinthe hinge hole 313 according to the angle variation between the firstbody 210 and the second body 220.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram to describe an operational principle ofthe hinge module 300. (a) shows that the angle between the first hingehousing 311 and the second hinge housing 312 is consistent. The hingehole 313 is arc-shaped with respect to a center point (o) and the centerpoint (o) is located an outside of the hinge module 300. When it isapplied to the mobile terminal, the hinge hole 313 is corresponding tothe display unit 151. The area where the center point is located may bethe neutral plane of which the x-axis direction length is not changed sothat the display unit 151 coupled to the bodies 210 and 220 does notslide.

Two or more hinges holes 313 and two or more hinge pins may be formed.The center of each hinge hole is formed in the arc-shape of concentriccircles. When two or more hinges holes and hinge pins are formed, theangles of the first hinge housing 311 and the second hinge housing 312may be varied more stably. The error that the gap between the firsthinge housing 311 and the second hinge housing 312 is widened, not theangles of the first hinge housing 311 and the second hinge housing 312,may be prevented.

The guide pin 316 is coupled to the other x-axis direction of the firsthousing in a y-axis direction. A hinge plate 311 b coupled to the firsthinge housing 311 may be further provided to stably fix the hinge pin314 and the guide pin 316. The hinge plate may be extended more to coverthe accommodating portion 311′.

The guide pin may be inserted in a through-hole formed in the other sideof the second housing. The guide pin 316 is moving, while drawing an arcwith respect to a center point (o), like the hinge pin 314 mentionedabove. In other words, the guide pin 316 and the through-hole may bekinds of the hinge pin 314 and hinge hole 313.

The guide pin 316 may contact with the elastic member 318 located in thethrough-hole. The elastic member 318 is configured to prevent the guidepin 316 from moving toward the x-direction side and the first and secondhinge housings 311 and 312 from rotating to get widened in the x-axisdirection, not change the angles.

A 3-shaped plate spring may be used as the elastic member 318. Whenunevenness is formed in the plate spring 318, the guide pin 316 may behooked in several stages in case of changing the angle between the firsthinge housing 311 and the second hinge housing 312. In other words, theuser may be provided with a feeling of a tactile feedback about whetherthe angle between the first hinge housing 311 and the second hingehousing 312 is varied. Also, the unintended variation between the firstand second hinge housings 311 and 312 caused by the hinge pin 314 hookedto the unevenness of the elastic member may be prevented.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a second embodiment of thehinge module 300 provided in the mobile terminal and FIG. 11 is a sideview illustrating the hinge module 300 of FIG. 10. The embodiment of thehinge module 300 includes a first hinge housing 321 having a hingehousing 321 a and a hinge plate 321 b; a second hinge housing 322; anaccommodating portion 321′; a hinge hole 323; a hinge pin 324; a guidepin 326; and an elastic member 328.

This embodiment of the hinge module 300 has the same basic principlewith the above embodiment, without the elastic member 328 and the platespring 319 configured to contact with one end 322′ of the second hingehousing 322.

As the elastic member 328 provided in the other side of the second hingehousing 322 provides the feeling of the tactile feedback about the anglevariation sufficiently, the plate spring arranged in the end of thesecond hinge housing 322 is omitted in this embodiment of the hingemodule 300.

The number of the components can be reduced and the manufacturing costmay be reduced as well. Even without the plate spring, the end 322′ ofthe second hinge housing 322 is also rotating while drawing the arc withrespect to the center point (o). The blocked end of the accommodatingportion 321′ is formed in an inclined surface 329 or arc shape so as toguide the moving of the end 322′ of the second hinge housing 322 incontact therewith.

Friction consistently occurs with the end 322′ of the second hingehousing 322 enough to generate noise. Accordingly, the blocked end ofthe accommodating portion 321′ may be made of POM (Poly Oxy Methylene).POM is a polymer of formaldehyde which is a kind of polyacetal. Such POMhas a high tensile strength and a high fatigue resistance and generatesno noise.

Instead of the 3-shaped plate spring, a spring 328 configured to pull acam block 327 with one end having unevenness is formed toward the otherx-axis direction side may be used as the elastic member. While the endof the cam block 327 contacts with the guide pin 326, the unevennessprojected from the cam block 327 may provide the tactile feeling of thedistinguishing that the angel is varied and pull the cam block towardthe other x-axis side, only to solve the problem of the shaking firstand second hinge housings 321 and 322.

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram illustrating a third embodiment of thehinge module 300 and FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective diagramillustrating the hinge module 300 of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a side viewillustrating the hinge module 300 of FIG. 12. This embodiment of thehinge module 300 includes a first hinge housing 331; a second hingehousing 332; an accommodating portion 331′; a hinge hole 333; a hingepin 334 a, 334 b and 334 c; a guide pin 336; an elastic member 338; anda cam block 337.

This embodiment of the hinge module is different from the aboveembodiment in the shape of the first hinge housing 331, the hinge pin334 a, 334 b and 334 c and the shape of the hinge hole 333.

A hole 3311 and 3321 in which the screw is inserted may be provided toas to stably couple the first hinge housing 331 and the second hingehousing 332 to the first body 21 and the second bodies 220.

The first hinge housing 331 of the hinge module 300 in accordance withthis embodiment may be configured of two cases 331 a and 331 b which arecoupled to each other in both sides so as to cover the second hingehousing 332. In addition, the hinge pin 334 and the guide pin 336 may beintegrally formed with the first hinge housing 331 as one body and thedurability of the hinge pin 334 and the guide pin 336 is better than thedurability of the corresponding ones of the above embodiment.

For the durability, the hinge pin 334 may be formed in an arc-shape, notthe pin shape. The hinge hole 333 may be formed in a longer arc-shapethan the hinge pin 334. In this embodiment, three hinge pins areprovided to strengthen the durability and configured to prevent theproblem of the falling out of the first and second hinge housings 331and 332. A hole may be formed in the hinge pin 334 c and a fixing pin335 may be inserted in the hole so as to couple a pair of cases 331 aand 331 b provided in the first hinge housing 331 to each other. The end332′ of the second hinge housing 332 inserted into the accommodationportion 331′ of the first housing 331 is also shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a terminal bodyand a rear case 230 which are provided in the mobile terminal and FIG.16 is a sectional diagram illustrating a connection unit between thebodies 210 and 220 and the rear case 230 of the mobile terminal.

When the first body 210 and the second bodies 220 are bendable as shownin FIG. 2, the rear case 230 may be made of an elastic material such asrubber, silicon or polyurethane. Such a material will looks massive andheavy by its characteristic and is likely to put stress on the hingemodule 300 because of its force of restitution which tends to return toits original shape. Accordingly, the elastic material may be used in apredetermined area of the rear case and the other area is configured ofthe segment structure.

Referring to FIG. 15, the rear case 230 may include a first cover 231coupled to the first body 210; a second cover 232 coupled to the secondbody 220; a pair of elastic covers 233 configured to cover lateralsurfaces of the second body. In case two second bodies 220 are provided,a pair of second covers 232 may be provided as shown in FIG. 15.

The first cover 231 and the second cover 232 may be coupled to the firstbody 210 and the second body 220, respectively, so that they can movetogether when the angle between the first body 210 and the second body220 is varied. At this time, an extended portion 231′ may be extendedfrom one end of the first cover 231 toward the second body 220 so as toprevent the space between the first body 210 and the second body 220from being exposed toward the rear surface.

As shown in FIG. 16, the extended portion 231′ may be overlapped withthe second cover 232 and the second cover 232 may be formed thinner at aportion 232′ corresponding to the extended portion 231′. When the secondbody 210 and the second body 220 are spread or unfolded, the rearsurface of the first cover 231 and the rear surface of the second cover232 may form the same plane.

The elastic cover 233 arranged in right and left surfaces of the firstand second covers 231 and 232 may be made of an elastic material such asrubber, silicon or polyurethane. The elastic cover 233 may cover thewidened area between the first body 210 and the second body 220 and thelateral surface which is bending when the angle between the first andsecond bodies 210 and 220 is varied not to be exposed outside.

As mentioned above, the mobile terminal in accordance with at least oneof the embodiments may adjust the bending degree of the mobile terminal.Accordingly, the sense of immersion into the screen may be enhanced byadjusting the curvature of the mobile terminal and it may be convenientof the user to rest the mobile terminal easily.

Furthermore, when the mobile terminal is bendably deformed, the surfaceof the terminal body, on which the display unit 151 is disposed, mayhave no length variation. Accordingly, the sliding member of the displayunit 151 may be omitted and the structure may become simple. Also, thedeterioration of the durability caused by the sliding structure may beimproved.

Still further, the mobile terminal may provide the tactile sense forsensing the presence of each deformation stages when the bodies aredeformed into the bending state or the flat state. Accordingly, thesevere deformation of the shape may be prevented and the durability maybe improved.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hinge module comprising: a first hingehousing including an accommodating portion; a second hinge housinghaving a first end inserted in the accommodating portion; an arc-shapedhinge hole in the second hinge housing; a hinge pin projecting from aninner surface of the accommodating portion of the first hinge housingand penetrating the arc-shaped hinge hole in the second hinge housing; aguide pin coupled to the first hinge housing and inserted into a secondend of the second hinge housing; and an elastic member provided in thesecond end of the second hinge housing and including a curved surfacecontacting the guide pin, wherein when an angle between the first hingehousing and the second hinge housing is changed, the guide pin movesalong the curved surface of the elastic member and the hinge pin movesinside of the arc-shaped hinge hole.
 2. The hinge module of claim 1,wherein the first end of the second hinge housing contacts with an endof an inner surface of the accommodating portion.
 3. The hinge module ofclaim 2, wherein the end of the inner surface of the accommodatingportion has an inclined surface which is oblique in a z-axis direction.4. The hinge module of claim 2, further comprising: a plate springprovided in an inner cross section of the accommodating portion andhaving unevenness.
 5. The hinge module of claim 2, wherein an innercross section of the accommodating portion comprises POM (Poly OxyMethylene).
 6. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein the arc-shapedhinged hole has a center point located outside of a z-axis direction ofthe hinge.
 7. The hinge module of claim 6, wherein the arc-shaped hingehole comprises two arc-shaped hinge holes spaced apart in the z-axisdirection, and wherein the two arc-shaped hinge holes have an arc shapewith a same center point.
 8. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein theelastic member comprises a plate spring coupled to the second hingehousing and has unevenness.
 9. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein theelastic member comprises: a cam block having a 3-shaped end whichcontacts with the guide pin; and a spring applying a force for pullingthe cam block toward the second end of the second hinge housing.
 10. Thehinge module of claim 1, wherein the first hinge housing comprises apair of cases coupled from both sides in a y-axis direction.
 11. Thehinge module of claim 1, wherein the accommodating portion has onex-axis direction side which is blocked and the other side which is open.12. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein the first end of the secondhinge housing is an x-axis direction side of the second hinge housing.13. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped hinge hole isopen in a y-axis direction, and wherein the guide pin is coupled to asecond end of the first hinge housing in an x-axis direction andprotrudes in the y-axis direction.
 14. A mobile terminal comprising: afirst body; a second body arranged in an x-axis direction with respectto the first body; a hinge module configured to facilitate an anglevariation between the first body and the second body; and a displaydisposed in a direction where the angle between the first body and thesecond body becomes smaller, wherein the hinge module comprises: a firsthinge housing including an accommodating portion; a second hinge housinghaving a first end inserted in the accommodating portion; an arc-shapedhinge hole in the second hinge housing; a hinge pin projecting from aninner surface of the accommodating portion of the first hinge housingand penetrating the arc-shaped hinge hole in the second hinge housing; aguide pin coupled to the first hinge housing and inserted into a secondend of the second hinge housing; and an elastic member provided in thesecond end of the second hinge housing and including a curved surfacecontacting the guide pin, and wherein when an angle between the firsthinge housing and the second hinge housing is changed, the guide pinmoves along the curved surface of the elastic member and the hinge pinmoves inside of the arc-shaped hinge hole.
 15. The mobile terminal ofclaim 14, wherein the second body comprises a pair of second bodiesprovided and coupled to both sides of the first body in an x-axisdirection, and wherein the hinge comprises two pair of hinge modulesprovided in right and left sides of the first and second bodies in ay-axis direction.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the twopair of hinge modules are arranged in a symmetrical manner.
 17. Themobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the pair of second bodies hingewith respect to the first body.
 18. The mobile terminal of claim 14,further comprising: a rear case including: a first cover coupled to thefirst body and including an overlapped portion extended toward thesecond body; a second cover coupled to the second body and having a thinarea where the overlapped portion is located; and an elastic covercovering lateral surfaces between the first body and the second bodyfrom both y-axis sides of the first and second covers.
 19. The mobileterminal of claim 14, wherein the display is coupled to the first bodyand the second body by using a boss provided in a rear surface of thedisplay, and wherein the boss is arranged in an area spaced apart from aconnection area between the first body and the second body.
 20. Themobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the second body is arranged in anx-axis direction with respect to the first body, and wherein the displayis disposed in the x-axis direction on the first body and the secondbody.